Work holding and advancing device



May 19, 1953 e. P. ROTHWELL 2,638,662

WORK HOLDING AND ADVANCING DEVICE Filed March 2, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet l 8 m 3 8 I A v S q. R, en

W////////fi i a8 INVENTOR. GORDON R ROTHWELL gent May 19, 1953 G. P. RQTHWELL WORK HOLDING AND ADVANCING DEVICE 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 1950 y 19, 1953 G. P. ROTHWELL 2,638,662

WORK HOLDING AND ADVANCING DEVICE Filed March 2, 1950 49 SheetsSheet 3 min @009 99%? g n:- 85? 0 g 0 o 2, n o m 3 8 J I- O m I 8 4 INVENTOR. o GORDON P. RQTHWELL %-'l 8 3 6 G. P. ROTHWELL WORK HOLDING AND ADVANCING DEVICE May 19, 1953 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 2, 1950 INVENTOR.

L L E W m 0 R .P M R O G May 19, 1953 G. P. ROTHWELL WORK HOLDING AND ADVANCING DEVICE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 2, 1950 y 9, 1953 G. P. ROTHWELL 2,638,662

WORK HOLDING AND ADVANCING DEVICE Filed March 2, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 I I 'll 1 H m .I my \W- & H H 7 25.] 5 IO! uvwzzvron GORDON P. ROTHWELL 8 I02 BY Agent May 19, 1953 ca. P. ROTHWELL} WORK HOLDING AND ADVANCING DEVICE 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed March 2, 1950 INVENTOR GORDON P. ROTHWELL Age m mw m E v .L f. m

9 Sheets-Sheet 8 "I I IlI/III4 May 19, 1953 Filed March 2, 1950 l9l .Z.

IN V EN TOR. GORDON P. ROTHWELL G. P. ROTHWELL 2,638,662

WORK HOLDING AND ADVANCING DEVICE May 19, 1953 Filed March 2, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 I 4x I V ////77////////////////////////// ///A FFE.E a

INVENTOR. GORDON P ROTHWELL Patented May 19, 1953 2,638,662 WORK HOLDING AND ADVANCING DEVICE Gordon P. Rothwell, La Crescenta, Calif., assignor to Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Burbank,

Calif.

Application March 2, 1950, Serial No. 147,227

22 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for holding and advancing workpieces and relates more particularly to mechanisms for holding, advancing and indexing panels, assemblies, and parts of sheet metal and the like.

Various machines have been introduced for drilling or punching openings in parts and assemblies of sheet metal and other materials, countersinking or dimpling the openings, and then inserting and driving rivets in the openings. It has been the general practice in the past for the operator of such a machine to manually advance, index and hold the work for the successive operations of the machine. Where the work is in the nature of large panels or assemblies it is,

of course, difficult if not practically impossible for the operator, even With the assistance of one or more helpers, to accurately and expeditiously carry on such operations. Although dollies have been employed to facilitate the manual handling of small and relatively small workpieces in such machines, there have been no practical work holding, indexing and advancing devices introduced for handling large, heavy panels or assemblies in the automatic drilling or punching, countersinking, and rivet driving machines.

It is, therefore, a general object of this invention to provide a practical and effective device or means for holding, advancing and indexing large, heavy panels, fabricated workpieces, and

the like, in machines for drilling or punching holes in the workpiece, countersinking or dimpling the holes, and for then inserting and driving the rivets. The device of the invention is such that one operator may easily and quickly position the workpiece for an initial cycle of operation of the machine and then cause the rapid advancements of the workpiece to given or indexed positions for the successive cycles of operation of the machine, all with a minimum expenditure of effort on the part of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a work handling device of this character in which the workpiece is successively or intermittently advanced by power means, for example by fluid pressure actuated means, and in a, rapid positive manner. The longitudinal advancement of the workpiece is effected by simple, easy manipulation of a manual button, lever, or foot pedal which controls the advancing mechanism.

Another and important object of the invention is to provide a work handling device of the character mentioned incorporating a novel and particularly versatile work advancing means which may be conditioned to advance the workpifice in either longitudinal direction for any given or desired distance with each operation of a series of operations and to then advance the workpiece another and different distance with each operation of a succeeding series of advancements and so on. In accordance with the invention the longitudinal feed or advancing means may be set or conditioned to cause step-by-step advancement of the workpiece from a selected position and through a given distance at each stage of advancement, following which the workpiece may be advanced to a new initial position and the device may then be conditioned to cause step-by-step advancement of the workpiece from this position and through any given distance at each advancement. As distinguished from lead screw feeds, worm feeds and rack feeds, wherein the initial and subsequent locating, setting or indexing of the workpiece is dependent to some extent at least upon the pitch of the threads or the spacing of the teeth, the feed means of the invention may locate or index the workpiece with great accuracy at any selected position and then successively and accurately advance the workpiece through selected increments of movement which are entirely independent of the shapes of the mechanical elements of the feed mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a work handling device of the character men'- tioned which serves to hold the workpiece in a plane normal to the drilling or punching spindle and the riveting spindle of the machine to assure the formation of vertical openings in the workpiece and the correct flush or smooth driving of the rivets. The device includes contour bars which may be shaped to conform with the contour of the workpieces and these bars are settable or adjustable to preserve the correct normal relationship between the workpiece and the machine spindles during the driving of any given row of rivets. The machine also incorporates intermediate work supporting means adjustable to conform with the workpiece and adapted to prevent tipping, bowing, or sagging of large contoured workpieces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a work handling device of this character operable to feed the workpiece transversely for the driving of spaced longitudinal rows of rivets, the device embodying a positive but readily adjustable transverse feed means. l

A further object of the invention is to provide a work handling device wherein the transverse feed means maybe manipulated to provide for the driving of spaced parallel rows of rivets or for the driving of convergent or divergent rows of rivets such as often employed in tapered workpieces or panels. The two end carriages of the work holding device are capable of either simultaneous transverse advancement through uniform distances or steps for the driving of straight parallel rows of rivets and may be operated either simultaneously or individually through unequal steps or distances to provide for the driving of divergent or convergent rows of rivets, the end carriages being capable of limited angular or pivotal movement about vertical axes to permit such unequal transverse feeding of the workpiece.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character referred to in which the supporting track structure and associated elements of the feed mechanism may be extended or reduced in length to adapt the mechanism for the handling of workpieces of various lengths by the addition or detachment of sections of the track structure and feed mechanism.

Other objectives and features of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred embodiments, throughout which description reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the work handling device of the invention associated with an automatic drilling, countersinking and riveting machine illustrating a work panel on the device in position to be riveted;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of one of the yieldable connections between a contour bar and the workpiece;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the machine and work handling device with certain portions broken away;

Figure l is an enlarged vertical sectional View taken substantially as indicated by line l-l on Figure 3 with the end parts of the workpiece and contour bar and other portions broken away;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of the transverse feed means at one end of the panel or workpiece with certain parts appearing in vertical cross section;

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of the releasable clutch or coupling for permitting individual adjustment of one unit of the transverse feed means;

Figure 7 is an enlarged horizontal detailed sectional view of the cylinder and piston actuating means and clutches of the longitudinal feed mechanism with the major parts appearing in plan elevation;

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of one of the clutches of the longitudinal feed means, being a view taken as indieated by line 88 on Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View taken substantially as indicated by line 99 on Figure 7, the broken lines indicating an inoperative position of one of the stop leaves;

Figure 10 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line ill-ll] on Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the connection of one of the sprockets of the transverse feed mechanism with the longitudinally extending feed rod;

Figure 12 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line [2-12 on Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a view taken as indicated by line l3l3 on Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the means for rotating the longitudinally extending feed rod;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line l5|5 on Figure i l;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional View taken as indicated by lines i6l E5 on Figure 3 illustrating an intermediate work supporting means;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary plan View of the intermediate Work supporting means;

Figure 18 is a front elevation of the intermediate work supporting means With the false rib appearing in broken lines;

Figure 19 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view similar to Figure 8 illustrating another form of clutch mechanism of the invention, being a view taken substantially as indicated by line lEl-IQ on Figure 20;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary plan view of the clutch mechanism of Figure 19 with a portion of the case and stop means appearing in horizontal cross section, being a view taken substantially as indicated by line ac es on Figure 21;

Figure 21 is a face or end elevation of the stop means of the clutch mechanism illustrated in Figure '20 with the feed rod appearing in vertical cross section;

Figure 22 is an edge elevation of the stop plate shown in Figure 21;

Figure 23 is a face or side View of the adjustable stop plate or wedge of the clutch mechanism with the feed rod appearing in vertical cross section;

Figure 24 is an edge elevation of the stop plate or Wedge;

Figure 25 is a side elevation of one of the removable stop plates on the feed rod with the latter appearing in vertical cross section;

Figure 26 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the adjustable work aligning and setting means taken as indicated by line 2i3-25 on Figure 4 Figure 27 is a fragmentary side elevation of one form of the transverse feed operating means with a portion of the mechanism appearing in vertical cross section;

Figure 28 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 2828 on Figure 14; and

Figure 29 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a joint in the sectional axial feed rod.

The work handling device of the invention may of course be varied considerably in design, proportions, etc. to adapt it for use with automatic or power-driven hole forming and rivet driving mechanisms of different types, makes and sizes. Accordingly, the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the particular embodiment or application illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The opening forming and rivet driving machine illustrated has a frame or body It) in the form of a large yoke, provided With upper and lower horizontally projecting arms H and i2. An upstanding pedestal or post I 3 on the lower arm l2 carries an anvil I l. The work W to be riveted, is adapted to be inserted between the yoke arms H and I2 and the anvil M is therefore at the under side of the Work. The upper arm I! of the machine has a clamping foot 469 Which serves to vertically locate the work, and also incorporates a depth control stop for the drilling and countersinking spindles or heads l5 and [6. The heads and Hi project from the under side of the arm H, the head l5 carrying a drilling and countersink-ing spindle l1 and the head l6 being provided with a rivet driving shoe or spindle 18. A rivet feeding mechanism I9 is provided on the arm H and is coopera'b le with the spindle l8 to deliver rivets thereto when the spindle is brought to a given position. The heads l5 and I6 are interconnected and are operated or moved between positions where their respective spindles I1 and 18 are vertically aligned with the anvil l4 for the respective drilling and counterboring of the opening of the work W and the insertion and driving of a rivet in the opening thus provided. The spindle I8 is in the rivet receiving position at the feed means I9 when the spindle I1 is in its drilling and countersinking position. It is to be understood that the automatic machine not only operates the heads [5 and I6 between the positions mentioned above but also drives or rotates the drill and countersink of the spindle ll, feeds the spindle l1 vertically, actuates the rivet inserting and driving head and spindle is and retracts and advances the anvil l4 vertically, all of these operations being rapidly performed in an automatic series of sequence. Furthermore, the machine may be manually controlled to effect independent retraction and/or vertical advancement of the anvil l4 and independent action of the other elements as required. However, the present invention is not primarily concerned with the details of the riveting machine or its mode of operation and these features are, therefore, omitted from the present description.

The work handling and advancing means of the invention may be proportioned to support workpieces and assemblies of various sizes and shapes, and it is a feature that the means or device may be designed to carry large, heavy panels and assemblies. The invention includes a pair of spaced parallel horizontal tracks which pass between the yoke arms II and I2 in a direction perpendicular to the long axes of the arms. In practice, the tracks 20 may be quite long and may be supported by any available or appropriatestructure at the place of installation of the riveting machine. In the case illustrated in the drawings, the tracks 20 are supported on appropriately braced trestles 2|, which in turn are fixed to the floor. The trestles 2! may be individual structures and each track 20 may be made up of accurately aligned sections so that the length of the track assembly may be extended or shortened at will in accordance with the demands of the work to be handled. As best illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, each track 20 includes one or more lengths of angle stock arranged to have a vertical flange whose upper edge 23 is beveled from each side to constitute what may be termed a knife-edge. The lower or horizontal flanges 24 of the tracks 20 are bolted or otherwise attached to the trestles F2! to project horizontally therefrom and thus present downwardly facing horizontal surfaces 25.

The apparatus or device of the invention further includes two assemblies or carriages 26 for arrangement at the opposite ends of the work W and supported by the tracks 20 for movement therealong. These carriages 2B 'carry the contour bars 21 which are attached to the ends of the workpiece W; means 28 for supporting the bars 21 and the workpiece; and the means 29 for feeding the workpiece transversely. The specific construction of the carriages 26, is not of prime importance and may be varied, at least to some extent, as desired. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, each carriage 26 includes an inner plate 30 and an outer plate 3 I, the plates extending transversely of the tracks 20. The ends of the plates 30 and 3! rest upon and are secured to angle members 32 which extend above and parallel with the tracks 20. The lower or vertical flanges of the angle members 32 are cut out or recessed at 33 to freely receive rollers 34 which ride on the tracks 20. Side plates 35 are secured to the members 32 at the recesses 33 by bolts 36, or the equivalent, and the axles or trunnions 31 of the rollers 34 are rotatably carried by these plates. The peripheries of the rollers '34 are grooved to conform with and receive the knife edges 23 of the supporting tracks 20. The rollers 34 are provided in pairs of sets and there is preferably a set of rollers adjacent each end of each carriage member 32. Brackets or plates 40! of the carriages 26 carry rollers 432 for cooperating with the lower track faces 25.

Each carriage 26 further includes an upper plate 38 overlying and resting upon the abovementioned inner plate 30, see Figures 4 and 5. For the purpose to be subsequently described, the upper plates 38 are supported on their respective plates 30 for limited pivotal movement about vertical axes. As best shown in Figure 4, a vertical pivot pin 40 is arranged through vertical openings 4| in the plates 3!! and 38 of each carriage, substantially midway between the spaced tracks 20. The opposite ends of the pins 40 have heads and anti-friction bearings 42 are arranged between the lower heads and the undersides of the plates 30 to assume the vertical loads that may result from any tendency for the plates 38 to tilt or tip.

The abovementioned contour bars 21 are connected with or secured to the ends of the workpiece W and are mounted on the carriages 26 through the medium of the support means 28 and transverse feed means 29. There is preferably a single bar 21 at each end of the workpiece W and the bars are longitudinally curved to conform generally to the contour of the workpiece, it being apparent that where the workpiece is flat the bars may be straight. The bars 21 may be simple, flat-sided members provided with curved upper and lower edges conforming with the contour of the workpiece W, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. The attachments or connections between the workpiece W and the bars 27 may comprise angle strips secured to or forming portions of the ends of the workpiece and having down-turned flanges 42. Horizontal bolts 43 pass through openings in the flanges 42 and each bolt carries a spool 34, as shown in detail in Figure 2. The spools 44 extend through openings 45 in the contour bars 21 with considerable clearance although the end flanges of the spools which are spaced from the sides of the contour bars are larger in diameter than the openings 45. Pads or liners S6 of rubber, rubber composition or other yielding resilient material are provided on the spools 44 to cooperate with the openings 35 and the opposite sides of the contour bars 21 to provide somewhat yielding connections between the bars 21 and the workpiece W to absorb shock and to permit ready alignment of the work and the contour bars.

The means 28 for assisting in supporting the workpiece W on the carriages 26 and for tilting or rocking the workpiece includes two units or assemblies, onefor each of the carriages 26, and

these two assemblies may be identical. ilach unit or assembly of the means 28 includes two spaced posts or standards ll fixed to the respective carriage plate 38, see Figure 4. A bell crank so is pivoted on each standard ll at 59 and each bell crank carries a rotatable roller The rollers 55% are grooved to receive the lower edges of the contour bars 2i and are positioned to support the bars at points substantially aligned with or above the spaced tracks 2%. Blocks M are slidably mounted on the plates 38 and are guided for transverse movement by engaging the edges of the bases 52 of central standards 52B mounted on the plates 38. The links lid are pivotally connected with the lower arms of the bell cranks have their innner ends pivotally connected with the blocks 55 so that movement of the blocks causes vertical movement or swinging of the related rollers The work supporting means and work tilting means further include horizontal screw shafts 55 having threaded cooperation with the slidable blocks 55. lhere is a screw shaft 55 arranged transversely of the tracks til at the upper side of each carriage threaded through openings in the two spaced blocks 55 on the carriage. The threads 55 of one block 5i and the shaft 55 are right hand threads while the threads 57 of the other block 5! and the screw shaft are left hand so that rotation of the shaft in one direction causes the blocks iii to move toward one another and rotation of the shaft in the other direction causes the blocks to move away from one another. It will be seen that rotation of the shaft 55 in one direction simultaneously elevates the two related rollers 56 while rotation of the shaft in the other direction simultaneously lowers the rollers 59.

Each screw shaft 55 is provided at its forward end with a mechanism whereby the operator may i either rotate the shaft to produce the roller raising and lowering action just described, or translate the shaft without rotation to produce tipping or tilting of the contour bar 27. Each of these mechanisms includes a boss or block 58 mounted on the carriage plate 38 to be in alignment with the related screw shaft 55. A tubular sleeve or bushing 59 is screw threaded through the block 58 and has a knob Ell on its forward end. A shaft section 5| extends through the bushing 53 with freedom so that these parts are related for relative rotation. The inner end of the shaft section ill is connected with the related screw shaft 55 by a collar and pin connection #52 and a thrust bearing 63 is arranged between the inner end of the bushing 59 and the collar section 62. J am nuts Q are provided on the shaft section 6i in front of the bushing 59 and a thrust bearing lid is arranged between the nuts and the forward end of the bushing. In practice, the thrust bearing 6d may be recessed in the knob oil. A. hand crank 55 is fixed on the forward end of the shaft section J! to facilitate rotation of the screw shaft The knob t ll of the bushing 59 has circumferentially spaced notches bl and a lock lever 66 is pivoted on the block 58 to be movable between a released position and a position where it may cooperate with any one of the notches 67 to hold the bushing 5i? against rotation. With the lever 88 in cooperation with a notch 57 the crank 65 may be operated to rotate the screw shaft 55 to either simultaneously raise or lower the two rollers '58. In practice it is desirable to operate the screw shaft 55 in a manner to bring the rollers 50 into contact with the lower edge below.

To tilt or level the related contour bar 2"! and/or the workpiece W the lock lever 66 is first raised to the released position and the knob 68 is then turned to shift or translate the shaft 55. This raises one roller 5:; and lowers the other roller iii! and by this action at either one or both ends of the workpiece the portion of the workpiece at the anvil l l may be leveled and the work holding device may be adjusted to properly handle workpieces that have a longitudinal twist or contour. It is to be understood that the leveling and tilting means 28 of the two carriages 25 may be identical or substantially the same and that the two means may be operated simulta neously or independently to level and tilt the workpiece W as required.

Each carriage 26 is preferably provided with means for preventing the workpiece W from tipping when its center of gravity moves beyond the tracks 2b and for limiting transverse advancement or feeding of the workpiece to prevent it from becoming displaced from the table. This means of each carriage 26 includes a block t8 freely received in a notch it in the upper end of the abovementioned standard 53. lfhe block 62 is supported in the notch "ill by two horizontally spaced bolts or pins H, see Figure 26. A roller i2 is rotatably supported at the inner face of the block and is grooved to receive or cooperate with the upper edge of the related contour bar 23'. The opposite ends of the contour bar 2'? carry cievises it for facilitating hoisting and handling of the bar and workpiece W. These clevises iii are engageable with the roller F2 to limit the transverse feed of the bar 2? and the workpiece. It will be seen that the rollers 52 cooperate with the bars ill at points between the spaced rollers 58 to prevent unintentional tipping or displacement of the workpiece W. Prior to installing the contour bars 2? in the machine or prior to arranging the workpiece W on the work handling device, the inner pins or bolts ii are removed and the blocks 68 are swung outwardly to permit the free placement of the contour bars 2i at the rollers ea. Subsequent to the installation of the contour bars 2? and the workpiece W, the blocks 68 are swung back to their normal positions and the pin or bolt H is reinstalled to retain the blocks in their operative positions,

The abovementioned transverse feed means as is operable to feed or advance the workpiece W transversely of the tracks 2t and is such that the workpiece can be fed axially, by an axial feed means to be later described, to cause the riveting machine to install straight parallel rows of rivets, divergent rows of rivets, or rows which follow the direction or shape of the ribs of stiffeners S or other elements being attached to the main workpiece panel; As illustrated in the drawings, the transverse feed means may be designed for simultaneous transverse advancement of both ends of the workpiece and may be constructed so that each end of the workpiece may be individually adjusted or moved transversely. In the construction shown in Figures 1, 3, l, 5 and 11 to 15 inclusive, the transverse feed means 29 is associated with the longitudinial feed mechanism to be later described, and includes an upstanding support 14 on the outer plate 3! of each carriage 25. These supports M are provided at their upper'ends with tubular bosses or journals I rotatably carrying horizontal shafts it. Sprockets H are fixed to the outer ends of the shafts it to be driven from an element of the longitudinal feed mechanism as will be later described. The previously described standards '53 of the carriage plates 38 have horizontal openings or journals rotatably supporting shafts 18 that are normally substantially aligned with the sprocket shafts l6. Shaft sections 19 are interposed between the aligned shafts It and 1-3 and are connected with their adjacent ends by universal joints 86- so as'to permit limited pivotal movement of the plates 38- on the pins was above described.

Means are interposed between the pairs of shaft sections 19 to normally positively connect the sections and which may be released or loosened to allow relative rotation ofthe shaftsso that the transverse position of the workpiece W- maybe accurately adjusted. These means inelude opposing discs 81 andfifi, pinned, keyed, or otherwise secured to the adjacent ends of the shaft sections E9. The discs 82 have depressions or recesses 83' receiving coaxial bosses 8 on the sections 81. The walls of the recesses 83- are stepped and the bosses il iare flanged to present fiatsurfaces 85 lying in'comm'on transverse planes as best illustrated" in Figure 6. Clampscrews 8t extend through diametrically opposite axial openings in the'discsBZ and have heads Slfor cooperating with the companion surfaces 35. Knurled nuts 88- are threaded on the outer ends of the screws 86 to clamp against the outer end surfaces of the discs 82. Under normal operating conditions-the-nuts-tt are tightened down so that the heads-8i clamp against the surfaces 35 to positively connect the shaft sections it. However, when itis desired toturn the shafts l8- without turning the'sprock'ets H, as when making a minor transverse adjustment or advancement of the workpiece VI, the nuts 88'arebacked off to permit relative angular movement between the discs 8| and 8-2 The transversefeed means 29-further includes rows of spaced pins 89 extending along the lower edge portions of the contour bars 27. The pins as are equally spaced along the bars 2'5- and are secured: in openings in the bars to project from their opposite side surfaces. The rows of pins 89 are curved to follow the curvature of the lower edgesof the bars 27. Sprockets 90 are hired to the inner endsof the above described shafts l8 and their peripheries are grooved to receive the lower edges of the contour barsZl to support or assist insupporting the barsand the workpiece W on the carriagesZti. The teeth of the sprockets 9d cooperate with the pins 89' at both sides of the contour bars -2l'so that rotation of the sprockets serves to move or feed the bars and the workpiece W transversely of the tracks 20. It will be seen that upon rotation of the sprockets T! the feed sprockets 90 are turned to move or advance the workpiece W transversely and, as will be later described, the sprockets I! may be simultaneously rotatedthrough the medium of certain elements of the axial-feed means to simultaneously move both ends of the workpiece in the transverse direction. In other applications or uses of the apparatus'suitable hand cranks 52' may be employed to rotate the transverse feed sprockets 9B and the-sprockets ll as well ascertain other elements of the transverse feed means maybe omitted". This form of transverse-feed actuating means is illustrated in- Figure 27 ofthe drawings;

10 The abovementioned element of the axialfeed mechanism that is utilized to rotate the two sprockets H and thus cause simultaneous transverse movement of the two ends of the workpiece W is intheinature of a polygonal rod 93 extending longitudinally of the work handling I apparatus. Inpractice, the rod 93 may be hexagonal in transverse cross section and extends horizontally in adjacent parallel relation to the rear track 20'. The rod s3 is supported in the assembly of treaties 2H for both rotational and axial movement. 15 and 28, one of the means for supporting the rodSs includes a block dd secured on one of the trestles 2i and having a horizontal bore rotatably receiving a bushing 95. The bushing 95 has a polygonal opening as slidably receiving the rod as. A collar or nut at is provided on one end oiv the bushing t5 and a thrust washer or bearing 98' is engaged between the nut and a side of the block fi l'to hold the bushing against axial movement in one direction. The bushing 95 extends from the other side of the supporting block at and a sprocket 99 is keyed or otherwise fixed to. the projecting portion of the bushing. A flange Million the end of the bushing 95 cooperates with the outer end of the sprocket portion of the hub St and a thrust bearing or washer it? is arranged between the sprocket and the adjacent side of the block ii to prevent axial movement of the bushing 95' in the other direction. In accordance with the invention the rod 93 is rotated to eifect the above described transverse advancement of the workpiece W. The means for rotating the rod t3 includes the sprocket 99. just mentioned and a second sprocket 8 secured to the shaft of a worm wheel Hit. A chain Hill operatesover the sprockets 99 and 8 to operatively connect the same. The wheel Hill is in turn driven by a- Worm m2. which manually rotated by a forwardly extending shaft H33 providedwith a hand crank it? that is readily accessible at the front of the apparatus at or adjacent the operators position.

The transverse feed means 2s further includes chains W8 operating over the above described sprockets ill on the carriages 26 and also operating over sprockets M39 associated with the rod Q3 The sprockets its are keyed to tubes or bushings lit! on the rod Q3. As best illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, the bushings Ilthave polygonal openings i i l slidably receiving the rod 93 and the bushings are provided with diametrical cuts or slots H2 which extend for some distance longitudinally from the inner ends of the bushings. These slots H2 render substantial portions of the bushings iill'compressible and flexible so the bushings may be clamped onto the rod 93. Cap screws H3 serve to clamp the split bushings Mil on the rod 93'. The bushings lit extend through and are rotatably carried in the tubular lower portions of hangers or brackets li l which, in turn, are fixed to the outer plates 38 of the carriages 2s. The hubs of the abovementioned sprockets we are at the outer sides of the brackets H 2 while the split ends of the bushings i if! have bossesor heads at the inner sides of the brackets'so that the bushings and brackets are held against relative longitudinal movement. Split nuts Ht are threaded on the bushings Hiltoretain the sprockets its thereon and screws lit-clamp the nuts on the bushings. With: the construction just described the bushings H6 and-brackets lldconnect the carriages 2-B with= the feedrodfit so that longitudinal move- As illustrated in Figures 14,.

l1 ment of the rod causes longitudinal movement of the carriages 26 along the'tracks 20 and the bushings I I0, sprockets I1 and I09 and the chain I08 operatively connect the rod 93 with the transverse feed means 29 described above so that rotation of the rod produces simultaneous rotation of the sprockets 90 to move the workpiece W transversely.

The longitudinal spacing of the carriages 26 along the tracks 20 is of course dependent upon the length of the workpiece to be acted upon or riveted and the apparatus is such that the carriages may be readily adjusted to any.required spacing to accommodate workpieces of different lengths. This is accomplished by loosening the cap screws I I3 of one or both of the bushings I I to allow the bushings and, therefore, their respective carriages 26 to be moved longitudinally relative to the feed bar 93. Following such adjustment of the carriages to the required positions the cap screws II3 are tightened down to again secure the carriages to the feed rod 93.

The invention contemplates the transverse feeding of the opposite ends of the workpiece W either in a uniform manner or differentially so that the riveting machine may either drive parallel rows of rivets or divergent rows of rivets. The above described sprockets TI and/ or sprockets I 09 may be readily removed and replaced by sprockets of different eifective diameters to obtain the desired ratios between the companion sprockets TI and I09. It will be seen that when this ratio between the sprockets TI and I09 is the same at both of the carriages 26 a given rotation of the hand crank I0'I will produce simultaneous and equal transverse movement of the two carriages. However, upon loosening a cap screw [I6 and removing the related nut H5, the sprocket I09 thus freed may be detached from its bushing I I0 and replaced by a sprocket I09 having a different effective diameter so that the ratio be ween the sprockets I1 and I09 at the two carriages 26 is different, whereby one carriage 26 is advanced a greater or lesser distance than the other when the transversefeed means 29 is operated. The nut I I 5 is of course reapplied to the bushing II 0 and locked thereon by the screw I It to retain the new sprocket I09 in place. It will be observed that by properly relating the effective diameters of the sprockets TI and I09 either one of the carriages 26 may be advanced transversely a greater or lesser distance with a given rotation of the hand crank I0I to provide for the driving of either convergent or divergent longitudinal rows of rivets in the workpiece W.

I have found it desirable, especially when handling large curved or contoured workpieces, to provide the transverse feed assemblies or mechanisms of the two carriages 26 with means for positively holding the workpiece W against unwanted transverse shifting that might be caused by the vibration accompanying the riveting operations and for allowing accurate minor manual transverse adjustment or shifting of the workpiece to bring the flanges of the stiifeners S into proper alignment with the anvil I I and other elements of the riveting machine. These means are preferably associated with the above described blocks 68 which have limited movement on the pins or bolts II. Each block 68 has an opening I60 extending axially of the workpiece W and manually removable T pins I6 I are adapted to be arranged through the openings. This is best illustrated in Figure 26. Spaced openings I62 are provided in the upper edge portions of the con.-

tour bars 2! and are preferably located'to be in axial alignment with the flanges of the stiffeners S or more accurately with the rivets R to be driven at the stiffener flanges. This relationship is shown in Figure 4. The pins I6I, which are pointed or tapered at their ends are adapted to be passed through the openings I50 in the blocks 68 and then through selected openings I62 in the contour bars 21. To effect the abovementioned accurate transverse adjustment of the workpiece W the blocks E38 are moved transversely after the pins I6I are engaged in the openings I60 and IE2 as just described. This means for adjusting the blocks 68 comprise thumb screws I 64 threaded through openings in the opposite sides of the carriage standards 53 to have their inner ends c0- operate with the sides of the blocks 68. It will be seen that subsequent to the approximately correct lateral advancement of the workpiece W by actuation of the means 29, the pins I6I may be inserted in the openings I00 and IE2 and the screws I64 may then be operated to accurately adjust the workpiece transversely. The pins I6I thereafter lock or positively hold the workpiece W against lateral shifting or movement until it is desired to drive the next or another row of rivets R, whereupon the pins IBI are removed and the transverse feed means 29 are operated as above described. The pins I6! engaging in the openings I60 and I62 are particularly useful in holding the workpiece W against unintentional lateral or transverse movement in situations where the shapes, sizes and positions of the workpiece W might otherwise cause such unwanted movement.

The longitudinal feed means of the invention is characterized by its versatility of action and its ease of control whereby the operator may readily condition the work handling means to advance the workpiece W any desired distance at each operation and then condition the feed means to advance the workpiece in this manner for any given or desired number of advancements. The axial feed means is power operated and manually controlled and acts through the above described rod 93 to move the workpiece W in either direction along the tracks 20. In the drawings I have illustrated two embodiments or types of longitudinal feed means of the invention and I will first proceed with the description of the feed mechanism specifically illustrated in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings. This mechanism includes a case I20 secured in the central trestle 2I to be adjacent the riveting machine body I0. The rod 93 passes centrally through the case I20. and in addition to the rod supporting bushings 95 and H0 described above, the rod may be supported adjacent the case I0 and at other longitudinally spaced points by rollers I2I appropriately mounted on the trestles 2|. In this connection it is to be understood that the feed rod 93 may extend the entire length of the series of trestles 2I or for any desired distance and the rod is preferably made up of sections so that its length may be altered as the conditions of use require. Figure 29 illustrates the manner in which the sections of the rod are connected. Each end of each rod section has a tongue I22 which is substantially one-half the width of the rod and the tongues of the adjacent sections are lapped one upon the other so that the sections constitute a continuous uninterrupted rod assembly. Dowel pins I23 and cap screws I 24 connect and align the rod sections. It will be seen that with this 13 construction the rod 93 may be lengthened or shortened as required.

The case I contains two parallel cylinders I25, the cylinders being positioned at opposite sides of the rod 93 to extend parallel with the rod. Pistons I operate in the cylinders I25 and. have rods I21 extending therefrom. The cylinders I25 face in opposite directions so that the rod I21 extends in one direction from one cylinder while the other rod I21 extends in the opposite direction from its respective cylinder. This is clearly illustrated in Figure '1. Fluid pressure, such as air under pressure, is supplied to the outer ends of the cylinders I25 by pipes or lines I58 which are supplied and controlled in the manner to be subsequently described. Means are provided for returning the pistons I26 after actuation. In the particular case illustrated each cylinder I25 contains a spring I29 for returning or restoring its piston I26 after actuation, although other piston restoring means may be employed if desired. The outer ends of the piston rods I21 carry blocks I30 provided with tranverse openings I3I, see Figure 9. Double links I32 are pivotally connected with the blocks I30 by pins or bolts I33 passing through said openings I3I. The outer ends of the links I32 are pivoted in the case I29 at I34. The links I32 extend substantially horizontally to intersect the vertical plane occupied by the rod 93 and because the cylinders I25 extend in opposite directions the outer ends of the links I32 are pivoted at the opposite sides of the case I20. It will be seen that actuation of one piston I26 by fluid pressure pivots the related link I32 in one direction axially of the rod 93, that is to the right, while actuation of the other piston I26 moves its respective link I32 to the left.

The above described piston actuated links I32 serve to move the feed rod 93 either to the right or the left as the case may be through the medium of clutches. There is a clutch for each link I32 and as the two clutches are identical, I will proceed with the description of one of them, it being understood that this description is equally applicable to the other clutch. The rod moving clutch is illustrated in detail in Figures 8 and 10 and includes a body I35 provided with a polygonal opening I36 conforming with and slidably receiving the rod 93. A split or sectional ring I31 is held in a groove in the exterior of the body I35 by clamp screws I39 passing through ears I40 on the ring to rotatably support the body. The ring I31 has two diametrically opposite pins or studs MI and companion studs I42 are provided on the adjacent double link I32. Short links I43, which are substantially aligned with the rod 93, are pivoted on the studs MI and I42 to operatively connect the clutch body I35 with its related link I32. A pair of plates or rings I44 and I45 is secured to an end of the body I35 by spaced cap screws I43 and the rings have polygonal openings I41 corresponding to the opening I36 and slidably or freely receiving the rod 93. The ring I45 is provided with circumferentially spaced internal inclined surfaces or cam faces I48. Where the rod 93 is hexagonal in cross section there may be three equally spaced cam faces I48. The faces I40 are pitched or inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the feed rod 93 and the three faces have an equal pitch and are inclined in the same direction. As best illustrated in Figure 8 the surfaces I48 slope laterally outward and toward the respective link I32. Gripping elements I50 are provided to cooperate with the pitched surfaces I48 and the flat side surfaces of the polygonal rod 93. In the form of the invention illustrated the gripping elements I50 of the clutches are in the nature of rollers, although it is apparent that they may be of other configurations. Plungers I5I are slidable in axial openings in the clutch body I35 and have recessed or concave heads I52 for cooperating with the rollers I50. Coiled compression springs 452 urge the plungers I5I axially so that the rollers I50 are urged into effective cooperation with the pitched surfaces I48 and the surfaces of the rod 93. It will be seen that with the construction just described the action of the respective piston I26 moves the clutch body I35 and the rollers I5I] wedged between the pitched surfaces I48 and the rod 93 transmit the movement to the rod 93 so that the carriages 26 and the workpiece W are moved axially.

The invention provides novel, effective means for stopping or limiting the stroke of the rod 93 with each actuation of each piston I29 which means are adjustable to vary the stroke as desired to give the rivets the required spacing along the workpiece W. There is an adjustable stop means associated with each piston and clutch assembly and each stop means is separately or individually adjustable so that the movement or strokes of the work W in the two axial directions may be diiferent if desired. Each of these stop means includes a stud or bolt I53 secured to the end of the case I20 and a number of stop plates I54 pivoted or hinged on the stud. The outer ends of the stop plates I54 have hooks I58 (see Figure 9) for hooking over a pin I51 projecting from the end of the case I29. When the plates I54 are engaged on the pins I51 they are in position to be contacted by the block I39 on the end of the related piston rod I21 to form abutments or stops to limit the active fluid pressure actuated stroke of the respective piston I29 and accordingly limit the travel or stroke of the workpiece W. on the other hand, when a plate I54 is swung to the inactive position, indicated in broken lines in Figure 9, it is no longer in alignment with the block I30 so that the stroke of the mechanism is increased by an extent equal to the thickness of the stop plate. The thicknesses of the stop plates I54 are graduated in such a way that practically any step by step advancement of the workpiece W may be obtained and the stop plates may be easily removed from the pins or bolts I53 and replated by plates of selected thickness to obtain any given workpiece advancement.

As above described, the cylinder and piston mechanisms I25-I29 are provided with springs I29 for restoring the pistons I25 when the fiui pressure is exhausted from the respective cylinders I25 at the end of each actuation. The springs I29 of .course also restore the links I32 and the clutch mechanisms, the rollers I50 riding freely along the rod 93 during these return motions. Means are provided to insure the positive disengagement of the rollers I59 so that the rollers of one clutch cannot interfere with the advancement of the rod 93 and workpiece W by the action of the other clutch. This means includes cross or transverse members I58 secured in the case I20 to extend adjacent the ends of the cylinders I25. Release plungers or pins I59 are slidable in axial openings in the end rings I44 of the clutches and there is one pin I59 for each roller I50. The inner ends of the pins I59 are broadened and shaped to cooperate with the rollers I50 and the pins extend outwardly beyond the ring IM to be engageable with the cross members i 58. Upon actuation of one clutch mechanism by its respective piston 526 the other clutch in chanism may tend to move with the rod 93 but the pins Ell contact the respective or adjacent member E58 to be positively stopped thereby and the pins I59 in turn hold the rollers ESE) released so that the rod 53 may freely move through that clutch mechanism.

Any appropriate system may be used to supply actuating fluid pressure to the cylinders E25 of the clutch mechanisms for effecting the axial or longitudinal feeding oi'the workpiece W although wl'iere the riveting machine is actuated by air under pressure it is usually desirable to also employ same fluid pressure for the operation of'the axial feed means. In Figures 1 and 3, I have shown a flexible hose or line 565 extending from the riveting machine to conduct air under pressure to manual valves it? which control the delivery of actuating pressure to the cylinders m5. fhe valves it? are operable to connect the pressure supply line liiil with the pipes or lines 18% leading to the cylinders A25, there being a valve for each line 568. The valves i5"! may be root or pedal operated or may be placed on the workpiece W for hand operation as illustrated. The valves it? may be conventional poppet type valves that are normally spring held in positions where their respective cylinder lines Still are open to the atmosphere and closed to the pressure supply line its and are manually operable to conmeet their respective lines its with the pressure supply line Hit to actuate their respective pistons lit. It will be seen how the valves illl may be conveniently operated to selectively actuate the pistons thus cause the related clutch mechanism to feed the rod t3 and the workpiece W in the required axial direction for a distance determined by the stop plates ltd.

It is desirable to instantly or *uiclrly exhaust air pressure from the actuating cylinders 125 when their respective valves it? are r leased toreturn to the normal closed condition. In Figure 7 I have shown valves 5553 connected between the cylinders lid and their related pressure lines 388 for effecting the rapid discharge of pressure from the cylinders. The valves its have passages d leading from the lines 568 to the cylinders E and have internal chambers ill intersecting these pass-ages. The outer ends of the chambers I'll have ports H2 communicating with the atmosphere. Movable flow directing or controlling members lit operate in the chambers ill between positions where they close off communication between the passages lit and the ports. H2 and positions where the inner parts of the passages ilt and the cylinders are in communication with the exhaust port H2. Springs ll l urge the members M3 to the last named positions while the air under pressure from the lines I51 moves the members to the positions where they close the exhaust ports H2. In practice, as soon as a valve it! is closed or allowed to return to its normal position, the spring lid in the related valve idl moves the member M3 to the position where the pressure in the cylinder 25 may discharge through the ort i712.

When the worltpieces to be handled are of substantial length it may be desirable or necessary to provide the apparatus with one or more intermediate work supporting means. Figures 16 to 18 inclusive illustrate an intermediate work supporting means of the invention, it being understood that there may be two or more such devices or means employed. The work supporting means is such that it travels longitudinally with the workpiece W as the same is advanced by the longitudinal feed means and carries or assists in carrying the workpiece for free transverse feeding or movement. This means includes what I will term a false rib H6 associated with the workpiece W to move therewith. The rib 5% has notches ill in its upper edge to receive the stii feners S of the workpiece and has flanges ll'li extending along its lower edge and projecting from its opposite sides. The lower edge of the rib H6 and its flanges E73 follow generally the transverse curvature of the workpiece W. The intermediate work supporting means further includes carriages or trucks llil provided with spaced grooved rollers itll for riding on the knife edges 23 of the tracks 253 and further provided with rollers it! for cooperating with the lower surfaces 2-5 of the tracks. An arch or bridge i812 comprised of two spaced vertically disposed plates extends between and is secured to the trucks i179 by bolts or screws i 53. This bridge H32 has its lower edge sloping upwardly and inwardly toward its center so as to clear the anvil M of the riveting machine when the anvil is lowered or retracted. Further, as best illustrated in Figure 17, the sides of the bridge l 82 have centrally located notches l 24 for partially receiving the anvil i l so that riveting operations may be carried on in close proximity to the center line of the bridge 582. Blocks E85 are secured to the upper side of the bridge :82 adjacent the notches Hi4 by pin and slot connections i526 so as to have limited movement toward and away from the rib m2. Rollers tall are r0- tatably carried by the blocks I35 and ride on or engage the upper surfaces of the rib flanges H8 at a zone substantially midway between the two tracks 25 Blocks Hill are secured in the bridge Hi2 and have notches or openings 589 freely receiving rollers Edd. The shafts or trunnions Hill of the rollers Hill are rotatably supported in recesses 82 in the bridge 582 to cooperate with or support the rib it?! and thus assist in supporting the workpiece W at points adjacent and at opposite sides of the above described rollers 58?. The lower rolle-s H are flanged to cooperate with the edges of the rib flanges H8 so that the bridge I82 and the associated parts move axially with the workpiece W.

The intermediate work supporting means further includes vertically adjustable rollers m3 for supporting the workpiece W at points or zones outboard of the tracks 26. The rollers 893 engage the lower edge of the rib Hi3 and are supported on the outer ends of bell cranks EM. The shafts or trunnions 2:315 of the rollers E93 are removably retained in notches in the bell cranks E96 .by pivoted latches Hi5 so as to be replaceable by rollers of different diameters to adapt the work supporting means to handle workpieces of different contours. The bell cranks 1% are pivoted to the opposite ends of the bridge 582 Hit and their lower arms are actuated by screw thread means to efiect vertical adjustment of the rollers E93. These screw thread means include gimbal blocks I 9'! carried by horizontal shafts or trunnions i533 pivoted in the bridge i Shafts Hill are screw threaded through generally horizontal openings in the blocks i9 1 and project outwardly beyond the tracks 29. Hand wheels or knobs 2% are fixed to the inner and outer ends of the screw shafts E99 to facilitate their manual operation. The lower arms of the bell cranks l 94 carry blocks 20! 17 swiveled on pivot pins 202 andthescrew'shafts I09 pass through generally horizontal openings in the blocks. Collars 203-ar"' fixed to the straits I99 at the inner ends of the blocks 20I whilvthe knobs 200-are at the outer endsvof the blocks. Suitable thrust washers or bearings 204 are -arranged between the opposite-ends. of theablocks 20*I and the ,radjacent knobs 20,8 and -,eollars to allow free rotation; oithe screw shafts while transmitting axial 'movemerr-tf-romthe shafts -to. the bell cranks A394 tc pivctz-the latter Itwilt be seen that the knobs 200 may beirnanually -turned to elevate orlcwer the rollers 1-9 3 to adapt the intermediate work supportingmeans tee-adequatel-y support the curvedor contoured work The alternate or optional formrot clutch mesh:

anism for incorporation inathfi ax alfeed means is illustrated in Figures 1-9 te- 25 inclusive, where E eu e 9 o e on s s he a y to F u e am-- illustrates one of the clutch assemblies detail As in the previously described for m of clutch;

mecham'sm, each clutch .01, red gripping means includes abod-y 205 anda pair of rings 200 and 207 secured tman end of the body by -capscrewselements such as rollers 2I I- .arearrangedin the ring to cooperate with the pitchedvf'ac-e's andzthe flat surf-aceswi thePGlYEQWal-rod 93;: the faces 210 and rollers 2I I- lceing the sameas the faces carries axially movab1e-pluhgers-or pin H2 which are engageable withatlle "crossimembe'rs- I358 of the case I20- to free gar-release the rollers 2H: inthe same way as the above described pins I358 Clutches of the type ill'ustr-ate(i iniignres wand" 20 are-operatively'connectedwitlr their respectivemanner the previously. described clutch mechanisms the short linlc' 1:432.

pistons I26 in the same being pivota lly connectedawith aming: I-3"lrotatably connected withtheclutchbody2fl5 ,The

link was is also" pivotally: connected'uwith the longer transverse links I32 while the latter links are pivotally connected with-therelated piston rods- I21. In this form of the invention a- 'sleeve 214i freely surrounds t-hefeed-rod 93 adjacei'it each clutch body -205- and the- -bodiesicarryslid v able ,circumferentially' spaced pins or-plunger's' 2-;I 5'zwhich cooperate withathe ,ro1lers 2*II- andzt'hesleeves-Mt. The inner endsof ithepins z-Ifi iare shaped to conform-with the rollers ;2-I-Iqwhile .;the

other portions of; the pins- 2'I-5-are-reduced in 205; Springsllfi cooperate-with the plungers 2I 5 to urge themagainst the; rollers 21 Iwandtoi urgethe rollers axially ofthe inclinedpr pitched races 2 I0. The .plungers zlfi extend from-the-clutch jy' Pres ed dii ea e, Sm

is vequals applicable rept le vStet means associated witHthe other c lut'itlifmesh}v anisr'ri.

Each adjustable" top ni'eeins inieiu esa' "air" of studs 211 pr ojec tin'g'ffrolfi" ad acent wall of-the case 5| 20' ahdlocatedat opposite" oi theaxiazlfeed red 3. "Astoppl teiFi' a polygonal spende 2 Ill fi'eelypass: g th wa ersheds scprierten ori the s l s r te in i 5'5 diameter and extend from thetnds :ohthe bodies-- 18 j'ustmentaxially of the rod. The side of the plate 2I8 which faces the related and adjacent, clutch, mechanism is substantially normal to the rod 93 whiletheother side of the plate has an inclinedtrack or way 220. A transversely adjustable shim or-plate 2-2I' is eng'ag'ed'betweenthe way 220 and the adjacent'end wall of the case I20. .The adjusting plate-2H has an elongateopening 222 for receivingthe feed rod 93 ando'n'e side of the plate flatly bearsioh the wall of the case I20 while the other side of the plate is inclined to slidably conformtothe way 220. A red 223 extends forwardly from the adjusting plate HI and projects through the Wallof the case I20 to facilitate manual adjustment of the plate 22 I. In practice, use 224 maybethreadd on the rod 223 to cooliilate with" the Wall of the case 20 to adjust the plate 22I "and to' lockthe plate inits adjusted pdsiti'on, It will be seen'how the adjusting plate .22I rna'y heshifted transversely of the-feed rod 93 to adjfl'stthe sto -plate 2I8 axiany 0f the'fd rod.

1 one or more 'stop's225 are arranged on the axial fee'dr'o'd 93" in front of the stop plate 2I8 to be engaged by theabove described sleeve '2. In practice, a number of stops 225' of different or graduated thikli'sses'is provided with the ap ag beplaced or arranged ori the rod 93 and maybe individually removed and replaced as conditions of use'o'f the work-handling device require. By selecting stops 225 o'f req'uired thicknesses" and/or by adjusting" the plateau-the stop assembly may be given" practically any effective thickness.- It

Will beise'e'n that upon actuation of a piston I26 therespective clutch body 205 is -moved axially so that the rollers 2 II wedge" between the inclined faces'illl and the fiat'sulfaces of the feed rod93 to tra-nsm'it the motion to the feed me and the w rkpiece w, thus advancing the latter axially of the machine assembly." This'motion continues until'the outfehdsof the plungers 2I5 engage the sleeve 2P1 and the latter engages th' stops 225'. When this"- occurs" motion of the" clutch assembly the'fe'ed rod same the wt)'rkpiece W'ispositiv'el'y stopped ortelr'niriated. The'adjust'able stop assembly describedabove prevents further movement-of the rods'or plungers 2I5 and the latter are engaged with the rollers 2 'I-I which; in

mm,- are'wedged'betweeii me surraws or the rod seem the faces iw to insure" the immediate stoppingof the workple'ce W; The form of clutch mechanmhrand stop assembly illustrated in Figur'es 19 to- 25' i'riclusi'v overtra'vel at the endsof the axial feed advancements'. v

From trie foreg'omg detailed description it willbeappareht tu-aer have provided a practical; effective, work handling apparatus useful in connectionwith machines'fo'r forming openings;-iii'-' ities of the work handlingqapparatus have beendescrib ed above' in: ceuuecue'n with the descrip tioils cfheir constructions and it is believed unnecessary toag ain describe'in de tail the" operav -is particularly-advanta-" rgeous when-the e' quipiiiht is intended to handle urge: or heavy work ieces as it prevents the inertia otthe' -heavy' workpiecesrrom causing- 19' tion of the several mechanisms. However, the general mode of operation of the device'will be set forth. Preparatory to arranging a given workpiece W on the apparatus, contour bars 21 are constructed to have upper and lower edges which conform generally with the transverse contour of the workpiece and to have the transverse feed pins 89 and the aligning openings I62, the latter being located in accordance with the positions of the rows of rivets to be driven in the workpiece. The bars 21 are secured to the ends of the workpiece and the assembly is, arranged in place on the device to be supported at its ends by the sprockets 90 and the rollers 50 and to be supported intermediate its ends by the rollers I92 and I93. The rollers 50 are adjusted vertically by operation of the cranks 65 and/or the knobs 60 to properly support the workpiece and the knobs 200 are operated to adjust the rollers I93 into supporting cooperation with the false rib I16 which is associated with the workpiece. The rollers I2 and the rollers I81 are installed or arranged in place to cooperate with the contour bars 21 and the rib flanges I78 respectively to assist in preventing displacement of the workpiece.

With the workpiece properly supported on the apparatus it may be moved transversely by operation of either the crank IOI or the cranks 92 and accurate transverse adjustment of the workpiece may be eifected by manipulation of thumb screws I64 and, if necessary, by loosening the clamp nuts 88 and turning the shafts 18 as required. In this connection it is to be understood that the ends of the workpiece W may be moved transversely equal distances at each. transverse advancement to provide for the driving of parallel rows of rivets or they may be moved unequal distances to provide for the driving of divergent or convergent rows of rivets as previously described. When the ends of the workpiece W have been located as desired for the driving of a given set or row of rivets, they may be positively locked in place by inserting the pins I6I in the openings I62. To efiect the axial advancement of the workpiece W the valves I61 are actuated toactuate the pistons I26 and their respective clutch mechanisms. As has been previously described, the actuation of a piston I26 moves or operates the related clutch mechanism so that the feed rod 83 and the workpiece W are advanced axially and the extent or lengthof the axial advancement is determined either by the number and thickness of the stop plates I54 or by the position of the adjusting plate 22I and the number and aggregate thickness of thestops 225. By adjusting the stop means associated with the clutch mechanisms the axial spacin of the rivets to be driven in the workpiece W may be controlled or varied as desired. It will be observed that the workpiece W may be intermittently advanced axially in either direction and the spacing of the rivets R may be varied as selected during such operations. The device is simple and easy to control and operate and does not require any appreciable manual efiort on the part of the operator. The various feed means and adjustments of the apparatus are such that the workpiece W may be oriented or positioned with great accuracy for any given rivet driving operation and the device is adapted to handle both large and small workpieces such as panels and assemblies of various shapes and configurations.

Having described only typical forms of the invention I do not wish to be limited to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to my- 20' self any variations or modifications. that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A work supporting and advancing device comprising spaced tracks, carriagesspaced longitudinally of the tracks and movable therealong, means on the carriages for supporting the work, means for advancin the carriages axially along the tracks including an axially movable and turnable member extending axially of the tracks, means for connecting the member with the carriages to be axially movable therewith and to be rotatable withrespect to the carriages, and means for moving the member axially to ad- Vance-the carriages, and means at the carriages operated by rotation of the member for advancing the work transversely in either direction.

2. A Work supporting and advancing device comprising longitudinal tracks, carriages movable along the tracks, means on the carriages for supporting the ends of the work and operable to advance the same-transversely of the tracks in either direction, and means for advancing the work longitudinally of the tracks comprising an elongate member extending parallel with the tracks and' connected with the carriages to move therewith, a cylinder and piston mechanism, and a clutch operable by said mechanism to grip said member and to transmit motion from said mechanism to the member.

3. A work supporting and advancing device comprising longitudinal tracks, carriage means movable along the tracks, means on the carriage means for supporting the ends of the Work and operable to advance the same transversely of the tracks, and means for advancing the work longitudinally of the tracks comprising a member connected with the carriage means to move therewith, a cylinder and piston mechanism, a clutch operable by said mechanism to grip said member and to transmit motion from said mechanism to the member and carriage means, and adjustable stop means engageable by the clutch for limiting the stroke of said member and carriages.

4. -A work supporting and advancing device comprising longitudinal tracks, carriages'movable along the tracks, means on the carriages for supporting the ends of the work and operable to advance the same transversely of the tracks in either direction, and means for advancing the work longitudinally of the tracks comprising a member connected with the carriages to move therewith; oppositely acting cylinder and piston mechanismsa one-way clutch associated with each of said mechanisms for transmitting motion therefromto said members, stop means engageable by each clutch to limit the motion of carriages, and means for controlling said mechanisms.

5. A work supporting and advancing device comprising longitudinal tracks, carriages movable alongthe tracks, means on the carriages for supporting the ends of the work and operable to advance the same transversely of the tracks in either direction, and means for advancing the work'longitudinally of the tracks comprising a member connected with the carriages to move therewith, oppositely acting cylinder and piston mechanisms, a clutch associated with each of said mechanisms to be moved thereby and to transmit motion therefrom to'said member, ad-

justable stop means'forv each clutch for limiting 21v the stroke of the clutch and "carriages, and means for controlling said mechanisms.

6. A work supporting and advancing device comprising longitudinal tracks, carriages movable along the tracks, means on the carriages for supporting the ends of the Work and operable to advance the same transversely ofthe tracks, and means for advancing the work longitudinally of the tracks comprising a rotatable and longitudinally movable rod connected with the carriages to move the same along the tracks and rotatable with respect to the carriages, a cylinder and :pis-

ton mechanism, one-wayclutch meansactuated by said mechanism to grip the rod and move the same longitudinally in one direction, stop means engageable by the clutch means to limit movement of the rod and carriages in said direction, manual means for controlling said mechanism to move the rod and carriages in said direction, means for rotating the rod, and an operative connection between the rod and the first named means whereby rotation of the rod-advancesthe work transversely.

'7. A device for supporting and advancing, a workpiece having a transverse curved contour comprising curved bars secured to the ends of the workpiece and having the generallcontour thereof, longitudinal tracks, carriages movable on the tracks, means on the carriages-cooperating with the bars to support the workpiece and operable to move the same transversely in either direction, said means including sprockets 'on the carriages supporting the bars, pins on the bars engaged by the sprockets for the transverse movement of the workpiece, and means for rotating the sprockets.

8. A device for supporting and advancing a workpiece having artransverse curved contour comprising curved bars secured to the ends of the workpiece and having the general contour, thereof, longitudinal tracks, carriages movable on the tracks, means on thecarriages cooperating with the bars to support the workpiece and-operable to-movethesame transversely in either.direction, said means including sprockets-on the carriages supporting the bars, pins on thebars engaged by the sprockets for-the transverse movement of the workpiece, means for rotating the sprockets, and means on the carriages for leveling and tipping the workpiece including vertically movable rollersforengaging, thebars at the oppos'itesides of thesprockets, and manually operable means for moving the .rollerssvertically. I

9. A device for supporting andadvancing a workpiece having a transverse curved contour comprisingcurved bars securedto the ends of the workpiece and having the general contourthereof, longitudinal tracks; carriages movable on the tracks, means on the carriages-cooperating with the bars to support the workpiece and operable 10. A device for supportingzand advancing' workpiece having a transverse curved contour comprising curved bars, securedto the ends of longitudinally along 'ztheltracks, bars secured to the workpiece and thegeneral; contour.

e f, l gi d al t acks-c rr ages mov b e h -tracks m ans-0 2 16 ca a np rating with the bars to support the workpiece and ope erable to move the same and the workpiece trans.- versely, said ,meansincluding sprockets on the carriages supporting .thewbars, pins on the bars engaged by the sprockets for the transverse movementof the workpiece, means for rotating the sprockets, means on thecarriages for leveling andtipping the workpiece includingvertically movable rollers for engaging-the bars atopposite sides of the sprockets, and manually operable means for simultaneouslyraising and lowering the rollers.

. -l1.HA device for supporting and advancing a workpiece having a transverse contour comprising lbarswsecured to the ends of the workpiece and having the general contour thereof, longitudinal tracks, carriages movable .on the tracks, means on the carriages cooperating with the bars to support theworkpiecetand operable to move the same transversely, said means including sprockets on the carriages supporting the bars, pins on the bars engaged by the sprockets for the transversemovement of the workpiece, means for rotating the-sprockets, meanson the carriages for leveling and tipping the workpiece including yertically movable rollers for engaging the bars at opposite sides of the sprockets, :and manually operable means for simultaneously raising and lowering; said rollers and operable to raise one roller while lowering the other.

12. A device for supporting andadvancinga workpiece having a transverse curved contour comprising curved bars secured to the ends-of the workpiece and having the -;general contour-thereof, longitudinal tracks, carriages movable on the tracks, means 'on the carriages cooperating with the bars to supportthe workpiece and -.operab1e to move the same and the workpiece transversely in either direction, said means including sprockets on the carriages-supporting the bars, pins on the bars engaged by the sprockets for the transverse movement \of 'Jthe workpiece, means for rotating the sprockets, said barshaving openings spaced therealong and means: for retaining the endsof the workpiece inselected' transv rse "po i ons o pr n pins on the -.carriages-eng-ageablein said-openings.

13.xA device forsupporting and advancing :a workpiece having a transverse contour comprising bars securedto the ends ofythe workpieceand having the general contour thereof, lon itudinal tracks, carriages movableon the tiracks,.-means on the carriages cooperating with the bars to support the-workpiece and operable to 111love the same transversely, said means including sprockets on :the carriages supporting the -::bars, pins on the bars engaged bvthe Sprocketsfor'the tra s o m of he workpiece, .and

means .for rotating the sprockets, said .bars having openings spaced therealong, and means :for effecting minor accurate transverse adjustment of (the workpiece comprising movable lblocks on the carriages, pins on the blocksadapted to be engaged in selectedopenings, and screw thread means :for shiftingithe blocks.

-.'1- 4. vA device "for supporting and moving a workpiece comprisingztracks, carriages movable thQiBHdS of theworkpiece,:rotatable sprockets on the carriages cooperatingwith :the :bars to, sup

port the ends t e Q knime and rotatable to the erk eel tra sversely; 1a rotatable 

